adjective
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having sufficient value to be bid on, as a hand or suit at bridge
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docile; obedient
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of biddable
Explanation
To remember biddable, which means "obedient" and "capable of being trained," think: "able" to do your "bidding." Certain breeds of dog, such as Golden Retrievers, are prized for their biddability. In other words, they are easy to housebreak, and you can train them to do tricks. Headstrong dachshunds are not known to be biddable. Bark "sit" and "stay" commands all you like, they listen only when it conveniences them. And cats? Your cat is likely evaluating how biddable you are turning out to be.
Vocabulary lists containing biddable
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
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Homecoming
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Ella Enchanted
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chava is a newly born golem—a mythological, biddable creature originating in Jewish folklore—without a master.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
Border collies, for instance, tend to be more biddable than the average dog.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2022
But there are plenty of examples and evidence of protocol meant to control the work environment and keep workers biddable.
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2021
The least biddable of west coast 60s psych legends are another surprising omission: perhaps their masterpiece, Forever Changes, offers too bleak a view of the summer of love.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 19, 2018
She could go to bed, and in the morning, every crumb would be gone, as if the man had a flock of birds or a parade of biddable ants on staff.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
